By Design, April 22

ON THE SHELVES

This is a highly practical guide on gardening from a trusted source. What we don't get: Pizzazz. OK, so the writing won't keep you up at night turning pages, but maybe you don't want that in a gardening book.

What we do get: Many close-up images of plants in various stages of growth - and most of us do want that in a gardening book.

Throughout the book are helpful pages devoted to certain specialty crops and how to distinguish them. The recommended salad crops include amaranth, beet greens, sorrel, claytonia (also called miner's lettuce), corn salad or mache, cress, red orach and arugula (a.k.a. rocket). The page on edible flowers includes bush marigolds, nasturtium, calendula, borage and heartsease or viola.

Chapters and plant recommendations are arranged according to seasons, which are further divided according to early, middle and late.

The back of the book contains charts for vegetable sowing and harvest according to regions, and pest and disease charts. These last include symptoms to look for and suggestions for controlling the problems.

ON TV

"Dina's Party" on HGTV

In case you missed this decorating program that premiered last fall featuring reality star Dina Manzo, you can now catch full episodes at HGTV.com.

Manzo was one of the stars of "Real Housewives of New Jersey." She has her own decorating and party-planning company, Designer Affair.

"Dina's Party" focuses on redecorating clients' houses for a particular event, such as a wedding or graduation.

More than a few of these soirees are, ahem, over the top. Would you expect anything less of a Real Jersey Housewife?

Even if you don't like the decorating, it's always fun watching Manzo try to move large pieces of furniture and oversize party favors in her jewel-studded maxi-gowns.